Event Information

Date and Time

Location

Description

Big Workis a documentary play that weaves together verbatim excerpts of interviews with 17 strangers into a modern day meditation on the American Dream and how we define success and ourselves in the 21st century.

Two Performances!

Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27

History

In 2014, playwrights Melissa Bergstrom and Kate Marple had both just turned 30, and felt largely defined by the ways they made their livings. Melissa was struggling with the idea of what it means to be an artist with a day job. And Kate, after retreating into work during a long period of illness, was trying to figure out where work was supposed to fit in the new life she was building. And everywhere they went, it seemed like every person they met asked the same first question, “What do you do?”

Eager to explore the role work plays in shaping both people's sense of self and their relationships, the playwrights interviewed people across the United States--farmers, pharmacists, retail workers, at-home parents, accountants, housekeepers, aerospace engineers, and others. What began as conversation about work, quickly evolved into a deeper exploration about what is expected of us, how much control we have in where we end up, what we will leave behind, and whether or not we really can have it all.

The portraits of the real people depicted in the play reveal the rich inner lives we all lead, and beckon us to explore what questions we should be asking in order to truly know one another.

Baltimore Production

This is the first time that Big Work will be performed outside of New England and by community members. Many of the cast members are long-term unemployed workers seeking their next opportunity. The 2 performances are fundraisers and "friendraisers" for the Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group, a program of the Corner Community Center, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization. The play, directed by Danielle Turner of CenterStage, will feature a "third act" during which audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the cast.

Sponsorships, Program Ads, and Donor Circle

There are many ways in which you can assist us in helping the unemployed and underemployed. We would like to start an "incubator program," a second evening support group, produce a comprehensive resource guide and so much more. Every donation helps our group members in their job search. Our various levels of sponsorship (ranging from $1000 to $1) are listed in the "Tickets" section (at the top of the page, click on blue "Select a Date" button to choose a date and then click on green "Tickets" button. then scroll down under tickets to see sponorships, program ad, and donor circle levels). For more information about what each level will offer you and/or your business, please email Janet Glover-Kerkvliet at jangloverk@bjhsg.org or call/text 410-627-2372 for a Sponsorship Packet.

About the Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group (BJHSG)

The Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group (BJHSG) is a volunteer-led group that provides emotional, psychological, and spiritual (if requested) support to older un(der)employed workers who are dealing with the pain and uncertainity of mid-career job loss. BJHSG was started in November 2011 by Rev. Carol Cook and Nancy Jeannechild as an outreach program of First Christian Church, now the Corner Community Center. During 2018-2019, BJHSG will expand from a group into a program that includes coaching, advocacy, counseling, mutual mentoring, volunteering, and connection to resources, for all persons seeking employment search assistance, with emphasis on long-term unemployed workers (defined as those who have been seeking employment for 6 months or more without success) affected by the Great Recession and those who are age 45+ workers.

About the Corner Community Center (CCC)

The Corner Community Center (CCC) is a Maryland non-profit with 501(c)(3) status whose mission is to enrich our community by providing a facility for worship, arts, education, recreation, and celebration for personal and collective growth. Located in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore City, CCC is the home of five congregations and 24 groups. CCC is working to enhance and expand the use of its building and grounds to provide opportunities to network, learn about environmental changes, present speakers and programs that deal with city-wide concerns and offer spaces for meeting and programs.